Curriculum & Courses

The bachelor’s degree requires completion of 124 credits, a cumulative grade point average or 2.00 and a grade of C– or above in all core and required courses in the major. Theatre majors and minors are required to adhere to the department policies regarding portfolio review, capstone, internships, and advancement within the program. These policies are available in the current Theatre Department Handbook.

The Waldorf College Theatre Department offers a Shakespeare minor in cooperation with the History and English Departments. Students in the Shakespeare minor take an array of courses in classical acting, Elizabethan history, original staging, etc. and work with Waldorf’s annual Shakespeare play each fall. Students who successfully complete the minor and receive necessary faculty recommendations are granted entry into the Mary Baldwin College Master of Letters (M.Litt) and Master of Fine Arts program in Shakespeare and Renaissance Literature Performance.

Prefix

Number

Course

Credit
Hours

Theatre Arts Core Courses

THR

132

Acting I

3

THR

300

Directing I

3

Students must choose two of the following courses:

THR

315

Classical Theatre

3

THR

320

Elizabethan and Restoration Theatre

3

THR

330

Twentieth Century Theatre

3

THR

385

Playwriting

3

THR

400

Theatre Company

3

THR

450

Theatre Capstone

3

THR

495

Theatre Internship

6-9

THR

001/2/3

Practicum

2

The musical theatre track does not require the completion of the theatre arts core.
All theatre majors (except theatre-education) must complete the humanities minor.

Performance Track Courses

THR

140

Introduction to Stagecraft

3

Students will choose two of these courses:

THR

146

Introduction to Theatrical Design

3

THR

242

Stage Management

3

THR

232

Acting II

3

THR

301

Directing II

3

THR

332

Acting III

3

Design Track Courses

THR

140

Introduction to Stagecraft

3

THR

146

Introduction to Theatrical Design

3

Students will choose two of the following courses:

THR

242

Stage Management

3

THR

360

Scenic and Properties Design I

3

THR

361

Lighting Design I

3

THR

362

Costume Design I

3

THR

341

Special Topics in Theatre Design

3

Students must choose one of the following courses:

THR

460

Scenic Design II

3

THR

461

Lighting Design II

3

THR

462

Costume Design II

3

Playwriting Track Courses

THR

200

Creative Dramatics

3

THR

232

Acting II

3

THR

301

Directing II

3

THR

332

Acting III

3

THR

One repeated playwriting course

Scholarship Track Courses

Students will choose two of the following courses:

THR

140

Introduction to Stagecraft

3

THR

146

Introduction to Theatrical Design

3

THR

242

Stage Management

3

Students will choose two of the following courses:

THR

200

Creative Dramatics

3

THR

232

Acting II

3

THR

301

Directing II

3

THR

332

Acting III

3

THR

340

Theatre Special Topics

3

THR

415

Theatre Travels

3

HIS

History Elective

Musical Theatre Track Courses

MSA

183

Applied Study

8

MSA

184

Applied Study

6

MSA

313

Half Recital, Voice

1

MSA

413

Full Recital, Voice

2

MUS

101

Theory I

3

MUS

102

Theory II

3

MUS

103

Aural Skills I

1

MUS

104

Aural Skills II

1

MUS

111

Diction for Singers I

1

THR

132

Acting I

3

THR

146

Introduction to Theatrical Design

3

THR

300

Directing I

3

THR

325

American Musical Theatre

3

THR

333

Musical Theatre Performance

3

THR

450

Theatre Capstone

3

THR

495

Theatre Internship

6-9

Students on the musical theatre track must pass the piano proficiency test.

Semester VIII

Theatre Course Descriptions

Technical/Administrative (.25 cr.)

Participation in the cast, crew, and/or staff for a Department of Theatre production.

THR 131 Introduction to the Theatre (3 cr.)

Provides a perspective of theatrical form and function through history to the present. Aims to develop a critical ability based on background knowledge which will increase the understanding and appreciation of the theatre and related arts. Specific emphasis will be placed upon theatrical literary survey, dramatic analysis techniques, and developing oral interpretation skills.

THR 132 Acting I (3 cr.)

A study of acting theories and practices with emphasis given to the development of monologues, workshop experiences, exercises, and scenes.

THR 146 Introduction to Theatrical Design (3 cr.)

An analytical approach to the visualization of characters focusing on research and design application techniques and media. Basic design skills including drafting, sketching, rendering, and model building will be focused on – concentration will be on all aspects of theatrical design.

THR 200 Creative Dramatics (3 cr.)

A participatory study of creative dramatics—an improvisational, process-oriented form of theatre. Experiences include individual and group work, movement, and creative play-making. Theoretical and exploratory study includes the development of strategies for utilizing creative dramatics in various settings including language arts education. (3-year rotation; Required for Education Major-Theatre Concentration)

THR 232 Acting II (3 cr.)

Intermediate and disciplined work in the theories and techniques of stage acting. Emphasis is on script and character analysis; performance preparation; makeup techniques; and introductory approaches to various periods and styles. (Prerequisite: THR 132)

THR 242 Stage Management (3 cr.)

THR 300 Directing I (3 cr.)

An exploration of the directing process with a dual emphasis on theory and practice. Topics include text analysis of dramatic action, elements of staging, rehearsal strategies, collaborative relationships in production, and the theories and production histories of established directors. Activities will include preparation of scenes and projects for presentation. (Prerequisites: THR 131, 132, and 141/142 or consent of instructor)

THR 301 Directing II (3 cr.)

An advanced and disciplined work on exploration of the directing process with a dual emphasis on theory and practice. Topics include text analysis of dramatic action, elements of staging, rehearsal strategies, collaborative relationships in production, and the theories and production histories of established directors. Activities will include preparation of scenes and projects for presentation. (Prerequisites: THR 132, 300 or consent of instructor)

THR 315 Classical Theatre (3 cr.)

An exploration of dramatic forms and styles, production practices, and theatre performance in its respective society. Periods include Ancient Greek and Roman, traditional Asian, and may extend into Medieval-Renaissance European. Work in the course will include script analysis, historical reading and research, and performance/audience experience through live and/or video productions. (Prerequisite: THR 131 or ENG 102/107)

THR 320 Elizabethan & Restoration Theatre (3 cr.)

An exploration of dramatic forms and styles, production practices, and theatre performance in Elizabethan, Jacobean, and Restoration England. Work in the course will include script analysis, historical reading and research, and performance/audience experience through live and/or video productions. (Prerequisite: THR 131 or ENG 102/107)

THR/MUS 325 American Musical Theatre (3 cr.)

A study of American Musical Theatre from its beginnings to the present with a concentration on several significant works.

THR 330 Twentieth Century Theatre (3 cr.)

An exploration of dramatic forms and styles, production practices, and theatre performance in this respective society. Emphasis will be on the rise of realism and post-modernism in Europe and America. Work in the course will include script analysis, historical reading and research, and performance/audience experience through live and/or video productions. (Prerequisite: THR 131 or ENG 102/107)

THR 332 Acting III: Styles (3 cr.)

Advanced and disciplined work in acting styles including Shakespeare. Emphasis on verse, text, and performance; audition technique; advanced character development and scene work; resume and portfolio. (Instructor approval required)

THR 333 Musical Theatre Performance (3 cr.)

An advanced and disciplined work in modern musical acting styles. Emphasis is placed on text, delivery, movement and performance; audition techniques and scene development.

THR 340 Theatre Special Topics (3 cr.)

This seminar course will cover an announced special topic. This course’s offerings will be used to supplement and cover materials and subjects not specifically addressed within the theatre curriculum. In particular, this course’s offerings will address emerging trends and developments in the ever changing world of theatre with attention paid to ethnic, gender-oriented, and political subject matter. Theatre majors are required to take two different offerings of this course. Students must be of sophomore standing or above.

THR 341 Special Topics in Theatre Design (3 cr.)

This seminar course will cover an announced special topic. This course’s offerings will be used to supplement and cover materials and subjects not specifically addressed within the theatre curriculum. In particular, this course’s offerings will address specific techniques and areas of study within design such as stage makeup, scenic painting, costume patterning, mask making, etc. Theatre majors on the design track are required to take at least one offering of this course. (Prerequisite: Sophomore status or above)

THR/ENG 385 Playwriting (3 cr.)

An introductory and exploratory study concerning the elements and process of playwriting. This course will place emphasis upon developing and understanding play structure, dramatic analysis, and the creative process. Activities in this course will focus upon creating and revising original play scripts.

THR 400 Theatre Company (3 cr.)

Students experience total immersion in the formation of a production company and the day-to-day workings of a functioning theatre company leading to, and including public performance. All aspects of production and management are explored and students fulfill a primary position in the company, as well as secondary positions and necessary functions. Students are required to keep a daily activity log, a response journal, participate in peer review, and public faculty evaluation. (Prerequisite: Junior status in theatre or by approval; can be repeated)

THR 415 Theatre Travels (3 cr.)

Immersion in a significant theatre center of the world; course involves in-depth study in culture, architecture, history, art, society, and performance; survey of museums, cultural sites; theatre performances and journaling. Course may be repeated once by theatre majors as an elective outside of the designated theatre requirements.

THR 450 Theatre Capstone (3 cr.)

Senior capstone/thesis taken in the 7th or 8th semester. Advanced approach and documentation of a project undertaken in an area of acting, directing, design, dramaturgy, or management relative to a production of the department. Expectations include extensive preliminary study, journal-writing, review and assessment. This course will also serve as the cumulation of the previous annual major evaluations and will include a final comprehensive examination over material covered in the major. Work on the capstone should result in a significant component of a student’s portfolio and/or audition repertoire. Thesis project may replace capstone requirements as determined by advisor. (Prerequisite: Senior status as determined by advisor)

THR 460 Scenic Design II (3 cr.)

Advanced techniques and further study in problems of scenic design. More in-depth projects, textual analysis, style, and historical research. Examination of unique problems presented by various theatre spaces and style of plays. Additional focus on the history of design and influential designers, as well as architectural designs and designers. Use of the computer in drafting and rendering.

THR 461 Lighting Design II (3 cr.)

Advanced techniques and further study in problems of lighting design. More in-depth projects, textual analysis, style, and historical research. Examination of unique problems presented by various theatre spaces and style of plays. Additional focus on the history of design and influential designers. Use of the computer in drafting and rendering.

THR 462 Costume Design II (3 cr.)

Advanced techniques and further study in problems of costume design. More in-depth projects, textual analysis, style, and historical research. Additional focus on the history of design and influential designers. Examination of unique problems presented by various theatre spaces and style of plays. Use of computer in rendering.

THR 495 Theatre Internship (6-9 cr.)

Theatre internships are designed to give students practical experience in their focus area by placing them in a professional setting. The internship credit may be divided into two 3-credit hour blocks, or can be completed as a single 6-9 credit block depending upon the scale, experience and complexity of the opportunity (to be determined by the Director of Theatre).

THR/ENG 498 Shakespeare Thesis (3 cr.)

Thesis projects synthesizing literary, historical, biographical, and theatrical elements of plays of Shakespeare and/or early modern dramatists. An advisor from the English or Theatre departments must be assigned as an advisor for this thesis project. Further guidelines for the thesis are available from the Theatre Department. Students will present research/project at Inquirere colloquium.